Jay Z ‘Angry’ At Trayvon Martin Verdict, Calls Zimmerman ‘Mall Cop’

An extensive interview with Jay Z has revealed that the rapper was “angry” at the outcome of the George Zimmerman verdict, a case he followed closely through its duration.

In the interview with Elliott Wilson of Rap Radar, Wilson brought up President Barack Obama’s statement on the verdict, which the MC called “amazing,” after which Wilson asked point blank for the rapper’s thoughts on the trial’s finale.

“I was really angry,” Jay said. “I didn’t sleep for two days. We all knew there was still a bit of racism in America, but for it to be so blatant was… if you just asked the questions, asked yourself the question, ‘Didn’t Trayvon have a right to stand his ground?’ He was being chased and he fought back.” (Trayvon Martin commentary begins at the 10:52 mark in the video clip).

According to the rapper, Martin had no intention of any wrongdoing that night, instead only meaning to get a snack and watch the NBA All-Star Game.

“He may have won; that doesn’t mean he’s a criminal,” he continued. “He won. I mean, if you chase me and you try to attack me and I defend myself, how can I be in the wrong? How is that right? This guy went to get some Skittles and go back to watch the All-Star game. He had plans — I’m gonna get this Arizona [iced tea], get these Skittles and I’m gonna watch the game. He had no intentions of robbing anyone’s home. It’s like, again, a reminder [that] we still got a long way to go. It’s beautiful, because this generation right now, they don’t see color in that way. We’re a bit removed from those racist feelings because again, it’s hard to teach racism when your child is out [at] clubs. It’s integrated and the music we listen to is the same. Our feelings and our anxieties are more similar now.”